Qantas said in a statement there was fresh speculation about
what things it would or would not announce as part of its
half-year results.

''We are not in a position to comment on that speculation.''

However, the airline acknowledged it would make some ''tough
decisions'' as part of a cost-cutting programme.

Qantas had been lobbying the Federal Government for
assistance, most likely in the form of a debt guarantee.

Mr Rooney said Air NZ's operating statistics for the six
months to December highlighted that revenue was flat against
the pcp during the first half of the year while up around 2%
on a constant currency basis.

Air NZ is considering cutting routes from its
Dunedin-Auckland schedule and airline representatives have
been asked to the city to meet business leaders and hear
their concerns.

Mr Rooney said cost containment had been a feature for Air NZ
in recent periods.

A further fall in cost per available seat kilometres was
expected to be driven by labour and maintenance cost
improvements. In addition, the company was benefiting from
improving fleet efficiencies as it introduced more A320s to
replace the ageing Boeing 737 fleet, he said.

Fuel price stability was captured in the current fuel hedging
profile of Air NZ. That was supportive to management's
near-term planning and potential for value optimisation.

The softer Australian dollar would drag on the airline's
yields, but not significantly.

Forsyth Barr was forecasting a slight fall in Air NZ's sales
revenue of 0.8% to $2.35 billion, a rise of 6.3% in operating
earnings to $493.1 million and a 50% rise in dividend to 3c
per share.